Cigar-bunching machine



(No Model.) y asheets-sneet 2.

' J. W. COGHTRY.

GIGAR BUNGHING MAGHNB.

Patented Sept. 3, 1889.

N. PETERS. Pheluxlwgmpmr. wanhlnglan. n.0.

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' UNITED ASTATES `PirrieNT OFFICE..

JOHN 7. OOUGHTRY, OF CIGARV ILLE, NEV YORK.

oloAR-BUNCHING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming pmt of Letters Patent No. 410,268, dated september3, 1889.

Application filed June 9, 1888. Serial Ns. 276,625. (No model.)

is inserted, and by which it is fed in desired quantities automaticallyand continuously/.to

a forming device, to which a binder is fed,

whereupon the forming device rolls the tobacco within the'binder.

To this end it consists, essentially, in a suitable hopper or otherfeeding-receptacle provided with a charge-gageconnected to the hopper, arevolving cut-off for lstopping the feed of the tobacco to thecharge-gage, an oscillating receptacle for receiving the tobacco fromthe charge-gage, and a plunger for discharging the vsame upon a rockingtable, to which table binders or wrappers are continuously fed, and anapron upon said rocking table revolved over launching-rollers by themovement of the rockin-g table, thus rolling the tobacco within thewrapper into a bunch of desired size. y

It furthermore consists in the detail construction and arrangement ofthe parts, all as hereinafter more particularly pointed out in theclaims.

In specifying my inventi on reference is had to the accompanyingdrawings, in which, like letters indicating` corresponding parts in allthe viewsl Figure l shows a front elevat-ion of my improvedcigar-machine, illustrating the general arrangement and construction ofthe parts. Fig. 2 is an end view, partly in sec` tion, with the hopperremoved for the purpose of illustrating the construction of the feedingmechanism. Figs. 3 and 4; are detached views, partly in section,with thefeed mechanism broken away for the purpose of illustrating the differentpositions of the forming and rolling mechanism whereby the charge l isbunched and 4the binder applied thereto.

Figs. 5 and G are respectively detached sectop plan view of therolling-belt.

tional views of the hopper and feed mechanism,Y illustrating theconstruction and operation of the revolving side of Vthe hopper providedWith stirrers or agitators and the cutvoff for cutting off the feed fromthe charge gage, and also the exit from the charge-gage` which allowsthecharge to escape or fall into the forming and distributing mechanism.Fig. 7 is anenlarged view of the die or mold in which the bunch isrolled, together with the means for rolling the charge and apply-` .ingthe binder, and also illustrates the peculiar construction of the maintable of the machine. Fig. 8 is a like view illustrating the position ofthe die or mold at the moment the bunch,with the binder applied thereto,is discharged from the rolling mechanism. Fig.' 9 illustrates anenlarged detached view of the adjustable friction-rollers, by`

means of which the shape of the bunch may be changed as desired. Fig. 10is a detached Fig. 11 shows an end view of the plunger which forces thecharge through the` spreading and distributing tube into the die Aormold; and Fig. 12 is a detached rear view of a portion of the standardof the machine, illustrating more fully the con struction andarrangement of the links' and cams for transmitting motion to thediiferent parts of the mechanism.

A denotes the standard or column which supports the mechanism of myimproved cigar-machine, and the same may be of any suitable form ormaterial.

B is a bracket, preferably secured to the top of the standard A, andprovided with forked bearings Z Z, in which the shaft 2 is journaled."To an extension of vone of the bearings Z, as best shown in Fig. l, Isecure the feed hopper or receptacle H. The feed hopper or receptacle His constructed of a i cast frame G, provided with the dependingextension G', and a sheet-metal receptacle having an inclined back orside H the sheetmetal portion being secured to the casting G,

so as to leave a smooth interior, and the inclined side Il terminatingat the top of the downwardly-extending portion G. pending portion G ofthe casting G constitutes a charge-gage for the reception of therequired charge used in forming a bunch, and is of suitable dimensionsto contain sufficient The detobacco for the desired purpose. In order tomake the same adjustable for bunches of different sizes, I provide asliding bottom Il, which is preferably formed as shown in Figs. 5 and 6.This bottom fits closely within the charge-gage, and is retained at thedesired point by means of the set-screw 9, which has a vertical movementin the slot l0, thus allowing the bottom to be moved in order to adjustthe charge-gage for the desired charge.

It will thus be seen upon reference to the drawings that in this exampleof my invention I have so constructed the hopper and gage as to'forin'acombined hopper and dischargegage, which greatly simplifies theconstruction of these devices, and at the same time increasing thefacility of operation, as will presently appear.

The casting G, which forms the frame of my hopper, is circular in form,as best shown in Fig. 2, and is provided with ears or lugs B", whichserve as means for securing the hopperframe to the bracket B, andthrough which pass the bolts 12.

The side-of the hopper next to the casting is closed by means of acircular-shaped cover D, mounted on the shaft 2, so as to turn therewithwhen the machine is operated. The object in thus forming or providingthe hopper I-I with the revolving side is for the purpose of feeding thetobacco from the hopper into the charge-gage, and at the same time toregulate the feed so as to discharge sufficient at veach revolution ofthe revolving side D to form the bunch, and this result is accomplishedby providing the revolving side D of the hopper with a ange or cut-oifF, which vextends or projects from the side D, at substantially rightangles therewith, inward and covering the openin gs at the top of thechargegage and bottom of the hopper when the said iiange or cut-off F iscoincident therewith.

-I also provide a cut-out or slot F in the moving side D, extendinginward from the periphery thereof at sufficient distance to coincidewith theopening in the charge-gage when the cut-out or slot comesopposite thereto in the rotation of the revolving side D.

It will be observed that the cut-olf or flange F is so arranged inrelation to the cut-out or slot F so that when the opening or throatbetween the hopper and charge-gage is closed by the iiange F the exit ofthe charge-gage is opened simultaneously by the slot or cut-out Fcoinciding with the open side of the chargegage, while at the same timeit will also be noticed that when the moving side is rotating itoverlaps the hopper and the opening in the charge-gage, thereby closingthe same. f

To utilize the described construction of th parts, it is necessary totime the rotation of -the side D of the hopper with the movements ot'the other parts of the machine whereby t-he eXit of the charge from thecharge-gage occurs when the distributing and forming receptacles are insuitable position to receive the same, and this desirable result issecured by the employment of cams and levers, as will be presentlyexplained.

The receptacle M is pivoted to a stud e, projecting from the standard A,as best shown in Figs. I, 2, 3, and 4, which said views illustrate thedifferent positions of the mechanism in the operation of my improvedcigar-machine. The receptacle M is trough-shaped, and is in its normalposition, as shown in l and 2, when it is underneath the dischargeopening in the charge-gage of the feed. Beneath the receptacle M is thetube N, which guides the spreading and distributing plunger Kywhich inturn is operated by the levers I J, the former being pivoted to the stude', projecting from the standard A of theA machine, while the latter ispivoted at j to the lever I, and the plunger K is pivoted to the lever Jat 7c. The lever I is rocked on its pivot I2 by the connecting-rod t',and the conneeting-rod t' is connected to a link 13, journaled on theshaft b, and provided at its point of union with the link I3 with africtionl roller f', contacting with the cam-f, pivoted u on the shaftSas shown in Figsl 2 and 4. p 7 I 7 7 7 The movement of the spreading anddistributing mechanism is controlled by thevcam f on the shaft 8, whichturns in contact with the friction-roller f', Figs. I and 2, and thelever I is rest-ered to its normal position by means of the spiralspring S. The forming die or mold E consists of a recess formed in therocking table carried by the radial arm C, pivoted on the shaft b',journaled in bearings b b, Fig. l. The recess E is covered by the apronh, which forms a pocket therein of a suitable form to receive and shapeVthe bunch as the tobacco is forced from the tube N by the spreading anddistributing plunger K. The apron h is clamped to the head of the arm Cand passes upward over the bunching-rollers r r, secured in adjustablebearings or levers U, which are fastened to the t-able T by screws o,Fig. '7; The other end of the apron h is secured to the bracket JL onthe arm C by means of a set-screw t', and it may be lengthened orshortened for the purpose of adjustment and to take up slack. Therollers r r are properly spaced apart in `order that they may receivethe bight of the apron between them and roll the bunch.

It will be observed that the radial arm C `oscillates on its pivot C3 onthe extremity of the shaft b', and this movement of the arm serves toroll thebunch in the bight in the apron 7L between the bunching-rollerso" o', secured to the table T, thereby forming the bunch and applyingthe binder at the same time to the bunch, the binder being fed in whenthe arm C commences its forward movement, which is best shown in Fig. 7of the drawings.

It will be observed that as the radial arm C oscillates to the positionshown in Fig. 8 the binder is rolled onto the bunch, and the bunch R isthrown out of the bight in the apron between the bunchingrollers when-TOO VITC) to the impingement of the parts.

the arm arrives at the end of its movement. Motion is communicated tothe arm C by' means of cam g,- mounted on one end of the shaft 8, saidshaft being journaled in the bearingsa CZ of the standard A, Fig. l, andprovided with the driving pulley P, the clutch 6, and shifting-lever 3,pivoted to the stud 4 at 5. y The radial arm C is provided with anangularly-extending arm C', carrying a frictionroller g', which turns incontact with the cam g, and thereby reduces the friction incident Theradial arm C is returned to its normal position by means of the spiralspring S', as best shown in Figs. l, 3, and 4. It will be observed thatthe spiral spring S is connected to the radial arm C, and also to thelever-arm I, and it serves the twofold office of returning both thelever I and its connected parts to their normal positions, as well asthe radial arm C, the movements being consecut-ive and alternative, byreason of the arrangement of the cams g f, which will be readilyunderstood upon reference to Fig. 2 of the drawings.

The shaft 2 is actuated by means of the.

link chain S and sprocket-wheels connected, respectively, to the clutchon the shaft of the prime wheel P and on the shaft 2. The clutchillustrated in this example of my invention is what is termed apin-clutch, wherein the shifting-lever 3 is `held normally in contactwith the pins by reason of the Weight at its lower end, and motion fromthe pulley P is not transmitted to the link chain until the shifter 3 ispushed off on its pivot 5, which permits the pin to slip intoengagement, thereby connecting the sprocketwheel to the moving pulleyPand transmitting motion to the shaft 2, as well as to the camsf g,putting the machine into operation, and the weight of shifter returns itto its normal position, so as to throw out the clutch at the right pointto stopthe mechanism without stopping the pulley P.

The tube N and the plunger K are of a width suitable to spread thetobacco for the bunch lengthwise, and the end of the plunger K isformed, preferably, as best shown in Fig. l11, whereby the tobacco isspread to coliform to the desired shape of the bunch, and the tobacco isspread by the movement of the plunger, which forces it toward the exitof the tube, where the gate 'm allows it to drop out into the pocket oftheA apron h in the recess E, and the spring n serves to return the gatemto its closed position.

It will be observed that it is necessary to have some means for closingthe discharge end of the tube while the tobacco contained in thereceptacle M is being spread, distributed, and forced downward to theexit by the plunger K, and the hinged gate m, witlrthe spring n', forrestoring it to its closed position, eifectually accomplishesthe'desired result.

In order to conform the bunch to the de- `or provided on the rollers.

sired shape, I attach or secure the bunchingmeans of their boxes orjournal-bearings U,

in which the oppositeextremities of the rollers are mounted, by suitablespindles formed The bearings U,

which are independent of each other, are bent to conform tothe contourof the under side of the work-table T, and are extendedrearwardly adesirable distance and provided at their rearward extremity with a screwQJ or other means for securing the said rearward extremity to thework-table. tween the rearward roller o" and the retaining-screw o thebearings U are provided with an adj listing-screw V, abutting againstthe under side of the bearings and screwing into the under side of thework-table. It'will be observed that by screwing the adjustingscrew Vinto or out of its seat in the under side of the work-table T, and byreason of the abutment of the head of the screws V against the underside of the bearings U, the size of the cigar-bunch may be'variedaccordingly as the rollers r r are approximated to the line of motion ofthe rocking table, or the bunch may be rolled tightly or loosely, asdesired. As these bearings U are independent At a point beof each otherand have separate retainingscrews c and adjusting-screws V, it will vbeseen that one bearing may be depressed below the other, tilting thebunching-rollers" r at the extremity secured in said bearing U, thusrolling or forming the bunch large at one end and narrowing toward theother, which construction is very desirable inthe manufacture of cigars.

The apron h isiconstructed with flanged ribs r a", Fig. lO,nearits'marginal edges, the said apron being of sufficient width tocarry the bunches lengthwise between the ribs r. The object of providingthe 'ridges or ribs fr is to cause the apron to Areadily coliform `toIco "Irc

the movement of the radial arm C and keep 1 the tobacco in properposition without spilling out while the binder is being applied thereto.

The operation of my improved cigar-machine will beireadily understoodfrom the foregoing and upon reference to the drawings.

Itwill be noticed that the feed from the hopper iscontrolled by rotatingthe shaft 2, j which carries the moving side D, so as to bring thecut-off F over the opening into the charge-gage G', at the same timeopening the exit of the charge-gage, so that the charge is dropped intothe receptacle M. The same movement of the side D of the hopper servesto givemotion to the stirrers,which cause the tobacco to feed freelyinto the charge-gage, ,and duringthe same movement of the sideMDA 1thespreading and distributing device and Athe rolling and forming Vdeviceare actuated in turn, so that the charge is received in the receptaclesM and the tobacco spread, distributed, and discharged into the pocket inan apron which lies in the recess E, whereupon the launching-rollersapply the binder tothe bunch, roll the bunch and its binder in the bightbetween the rollers, and eject the same from the machine at the propertime.

The operation of the machine is continuous, it being simply necessary tokeep up the feed by lil-ling the receptacle from timeto time. For thepurpose of conveniently applying the binder or feeding the same into theapron h, I form the end of the table T with a bevel on the under side,as best shown in Fig. 7, and mount t-he bunching-rollers r r immediatelyunderneath .the bevel, so that the periphery of the upper roller cornesin close contact with the rocking table of the radial arm C when the.movement of the loop or die recess E is started, and thereby the binderT' is accurately rotated on the bunch without difficulty. In order toslide the binder into position readily without undue friction, Ipreferably line the top of the table T im mediately over the beveledinner end thereof with sheet metal, as zinc or brass, which affordsgreat ease in manipulating the binders.

Havingthus fully described my invention, what I claim Vas new, anddesire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination, with a stationary hopper or receptacle for thetobacco, having an inclined side and a revolving vertical sideof acharge-gage and a eut-off between the hopper vand gage, whereby the.feed fromA the hopper into the chargegage is automatically determinedby the revolving side, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination of a feed-hopper secured rigidly to the frame of themachine and having an inclined side, with a rigidlymounted chargegageconnected therewith and opening` into the hopper, a revolving sectioncarrying stirrers forming one side of the hopper and carrying a cut-offfor closing the opening betweenthe hopper and charge-gage,substantiallyas and for the purpose set forth.

3. The combination, in a cigar-machine, of

a feed-hopper, a charge-gage, a .revolving side extending over thecharge-gage provided with a cut-off, and a slot located in relation toeach other so that the cut-off stops the feed from the hopper into thecharge-gage and the slot opens the charge-gage to discharge itscontents, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

4. The combination, in a cigar-machine, of a combined feed-hopper andcharge-gage, the hopper having an inclined side flaring upward from theopening in the charge-gage, and a vertically-arranged revolving sideforming a moving` side wall for both the hopper and charge-gage, theaforesaid moving side having a proj ccting cut-off extended in line withthe top of the charge-gage, and a slot or cutout below the cut-off,whereby the feed from the hopper into the charge-gage may becut off andthe charge-gage simultaneously opened to remove the charge,substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

5. In combination, the hopper II, having charge-gage G', inclined sideII', vertical rotating side D, having pins p, cut-off F, slot F', andthe shaft 2, for rotating the side D, all substantially as and for thepurpose set forth.

6. The combination, in a cigar-machine, of a hopper and charge-gage, thehopper having a revolving side provided with a cut-off for the feed intothe charge-gage and an exit for the tobacco from the gage, anoscillating kspreader-tube N for receiving the charge, a

plunger for forcing it into a pocket in the apron, and means,substantially as described, for rolling the charge into a bunch in theapron and applying the binder, substantially as set forth.

'7. The combination of the hopper provided with the charge-gage, means,substantially as described, for cutting off the feed between the hopperand the gage, an oscillating receptaclev M, a discharge-passage N,connected to thereceptacle M, the plunger K,operating through thedischarging-passage N, with a forming device for molding the chargeintoa bunch and applying the binder, all constructed and operatingsubstantially as and for the purpose set forth.

8. The combination of thereceptacle M and tube N, pivoted to thestandard A, the tube N having the spring discharge-gate m, the plungerK, and operating-levers I J, having suitableconnections to transmitmotion to the plunger, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

9. The combination, with 'the vtable T, the independent journal bearingsor levers U, secured at or near their rear extremities to the table T,with their forward extremities free, and thebunching-rollers rr, spacedapartfrom each other and journaled at their opposite ends in the freeextremities of said independent journal bearings or levers U, of therocking table.

having the recess E, an apron 7L, carried by the rocking table andpassing over both of the bunchingrollers o @and means for approximatingeither or both of the journal bearings or levers U to the rocking tableor changing the plane of the rollers, whereby the shape and size of thebunch may be varied, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

10. The combination, with the apron h, the central portion of which isof uniform thickness in cross-section and the edges of which are foldedor re-enforced with ribs r' 7" for preventing the tobacco from spilling,and the rocking table carrying the apron h and having the recess E, ofthe bunching-rollers o' r, spaced apart from each other and arrangedbeneath the apron h, the independent journal bearings or levers U,mounted in which are the opposite extremities of the rollers r o,

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and means for approximating either or both of the journal-bearings tothe rocking table or changing the plane of the rollers, whereby theshape and size of the bunch may be varied, substantially as and for thepurpose set forth.

ll. The combination, with the independent journal bearings or levers U,bunching-rollers rr, spaced apart from each other and having theiropposite extremities journaled in said journal bearings or levers, theapron h, passing over the rollers r r, the rocking table carrying theapron h and having the recess E, and means for approximating either orboth of the journal-bearings to the rocking table or changing the planeof the rollers, whereby the shape and size of the bunch may be varied,vof the clamp O, the bracket h', and the adjusting-screw i',substantially as and for the purpose set forth. p

12. The combination oi the table T, provided with the beveled inneredge, independent journal bearings or levers U, and bunching-rollers rr, located opposite to the beveled edge of the table, said rollers beingspaced apart from each other and journaled at their opposite extremitiesin said independent journal bearings or levers U, with the apron h,passing over the bunching-rollers, andthe rocking table carrying thebelt 7L and having the recess E, and means, substantially as described,for approximating either o1" bothof the journal-bearings to the rockingtable or changing the plane of the rollers, whereby the shape and sizeof the bunch may be varied, substantially as and for the purpose setforth.

In testimony vvhereol` l have hereunto signed my name, in the presenceof two attesting Wit-4 nesses, at Syracuse, in the county of Onondaga,in the State oflNeW York, this 5th day 4o of June, 1888.

I JOHN lV. COUGHTRY.

Witnesses:

FREDERICK H. GIBBs, A. E. PARSONS.

